Because of his exceptional survival instincts, Uchiha Shunichi put on a very convincing performance. That nurse never realized that she herself was the target of Uchiha Shunichi's resentment.
However, she did not tell Uchiha Shunichi any truth. After observing him for a while, she left.
Not long after, Sarutobi Hiruzen entered.
"I'm very sorry. I failed to protect the Uchiha Clan. More than a month ago, for reasons unknown, Uchiha Itachi slaughtered the entire clan before defecting!" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a hard drag on his pipe, his face full of grief for the world.
Unfortunately, his entire performance was wasted on a blind man. Uchiha Shunichi's eyes were tightly shut, making him no different from one.
"The great Hokage is actually such a useless man, unable even to protect a clan within his own village." Uchiha Shunichi remained silent for a long while before speaking.
Suddenly, Uchiha Shunichi charged forward and swung his fists at Sarutobi Hiruzen, like a child throwing a tantrum after suffering endless grievances.
"Why didn't you find out? Why?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped the Anbu beside him and allowed Uchiha Shunichi to tear his clothes to shreds. With Uchiha Shunichi's current frail body, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen let him kill him, he would not be able to do it.
After a while, Uchiha Shunichi calmed down.
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said apologetically as he looked at Uchiha Shunichi.
Uchiha Shunichi lay calmly on the bed, turning his head to the side without saying a word. Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him, sighed, and turned to leave.
On the bed, Uchiha Shunichi felt deeply uneasy. He did not know whether his performance had fooled Sarutobi Hiruzen, nor did he know what his future would hold.
A long time later, the female nurse with the gentle voice came over and asked, "Your body has suffered damage. Can you open your eyes now?"
Uchiha Shunichi barely opened his eyes, then quickly shut them again. "I can, but it hurts terribly when I do. I can't bear it."
The nurse hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you... know about the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
After more than a week of treatment in the hospital, Uchiha Shunichi's body gradually returned to normal. However, during that week, the nutritional supplements he consumed every day had been astronomical in cost.
Even now, Uchiha Shunichi needed to eat huge amounts every day just to maintain his health. As for his eyes... he still could not open them.
However, there was one thing Uchiha Shunichi could be certain of: he had temporarily gained Sarutobi Hiruzen's trust.
"This is Sensory Ninjutsu. Your eyes can't see for extended periods for now, so you'll have to rely on Sensory Ninjutsu for daily activities." Yakushi Nonō handed a scroll to Uchiha Shunichi, then left directly.
After more than a week of contact, Uchiha Shunichi had learned the name of that gentle-voiced nurse. It was somewhat unexpected, yet also perfectly reasonable.
"Mm, I understand." Uchiha Shunichi nodded and put it away, not caring in the slightest whether he would be able to master it.
Leaning on a long staff, Uchiha Shunichi slowly made his way toward the Uchiha district. It was now desolate, yet one person still lived there—Second Pillar.
"I just heard. You're a survivor too! But how did you end up looking like such trash?"
Second Pillar stood at the entrance, watching Uchiha Shunichi move like a blind man. A trace of guilt flashed through his eyes, but his words showed no mercy.
Uchiha Shunichi paused slightly at those words. Then he said, "Don't worry that I'll resent you. You're only that person's younger brother. You don't matter."
After saying that, Uchiha Shunichi opened his eyes to glance at his surroundings, then continued onward.
A trace of hatred flashed through Second Pillar's heart at those words. He had originally wanted to step forward and help, but in the end, he turned around and returned to his room.
"Hiruzen, I hope you can hand that child over to me." Shimura Danzō emerged from the shadows and spoke slowly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said nothing. Only after a long while did he reply, "That child's body is far too weak. If you don't want him to be wasted for nothing, don't set your sights on him."
"I suggest destroying him! The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan is too dangerous. Even if he cannot control it right now, it remains a hidden danger." At that moment, Shimura Danzō recalled what had happened when he transplanted those eyes.
He... had nearly died!
"The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan can only be fully controlled by members of the Uchiha Clan. Don't entertain such thoughts. That child..." Sarutobi Hiruzen paused here, then continued by asking Shimura Danzō:
"You haven't done anything unnecessary this past month, have you?"
Shimura Danzō replied, "No!"
In truth, he had done far more than that. He had conducted a great deal of research.
If he had had any other choice, Shimura Danzō would never have obeyed Sarutobi Hiruzen and given up such precious material that had already fallen into his hands.
"I will raise him into an excellent inheritor of the Will of Fire. You need not keep your eyes on this matter." Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke in an unquestionable tone.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was often very tolerant of Shimura Danzō, but when it came to certain matters, once Sarutobi Hiruzen became serious, Shimura Danzō was no match for him at all.
Whether it was the position of Hokage, Yamato, or...
"That brat's heart is full of hatred. I'm worried..." Shimura Danzō did not want to give up. Root had lost a Mangekyō Sharingan expert, one he had personally killed, so he wanted to make up for it.
"Hatred is very good nourishment. He will grow into the person we need. I have confidence in that." Sarutobi Hiruzen brushed a hand over his clothes and spoke slowly.
Seeing this, Shimura Danzō said no more.
With the Uchiha Clan destroyed, the two men who controlled Konoha's light and darkness were very busy...
"Due to certain circumstances, our class will be getting a new student today. Introduce yourself." Umino Iruka led Uchiha Shunichi into the classroom and gave a brief introduction.
In Konoha, many members of the great clans did not actually attend the Ninja Academy. Only a few representative elite members joined.
After all, the Academy had no way of teaching the secret techniques held by the various clans. And what the Academy taught was basically of little use.
Thus, only geniuses cultivated by the elite would join the Ninja Academy, with time to deal with interpersonal matters.
"My name is Uchiha Shunichi. I'm just useless trash. You don't need to pay attention to me, and I won't care about your existence either."
Before you continue